Red Sox Reportedly Have Second-Best Odds To Land Frontline Starter Despite Pessimism

Boston could surprise their fans

Scott Neville | Jan 24, 2024

Red Sox Reportedly Have Second-Best Odds To Land Frontline Starter Despite Pessimism /

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are running out of time to make an impactful addition to their starting rotation -- by far the biggest void on the roster.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has a noteworthy challenge ahead of him, as ownership would like to slash payroll, admittedly to an unknown extent.

However, Breslow could remain clear under the luxury tax and even last season's payroll of roughly $225 million while adding a legitimate frontline starter that would drastically improve the organization's outlook for 2024 and beyond -- though it might force a trade of closer Kenley Jansen.

The most logical fit always has been left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who will command less money than fellow free agent Blake Snell but has consistency that the Red Sox covet.

The Texas Rangers are seen as the favorite to sign Montgomery but Boston continues to lurk and could make a move. One of the more esteemed reporters in the business agrees.

"The other team that I think is a good possibility for Montgomery if it doesn't work out in Texas would be Boston," the New York Post's Jon Heyman said Wednesday on a Bleacher Report live stream.

Heyman went on to site that Montgomery's wife has what has become a well-known residency in the Boston area and that the Red Sox "do like Montgomery very much."

The comments come after Heyman noted that despite a very pessimistic Winter Weekend, he still expects the Red Sox to make a splash.

If that is the case, Montgomery is by far and away the most likely impact free agent that could sign with Boston -- though Snell and outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler were mentioned as well.

More MLB: Red Sox 'Still Have Big Move In Them' With Marquee Free Agents Still Available

Published Jan 24, 2024

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu